Condensing radiator



June 24, 1930. J. F. LEANHART CONDENSINC- RADIATOR Filed Dec. 5, 1927 I!!! I: llilillivrllnlyy 0 i viiliyloll115:1; I I M..- -1. zvaliisivilvlu.

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Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES JACOB F. LEANHART, 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY connnnsmc RAnIAron Application filed December 5, 1927. Serial No. 237,825.

This invention relates to improvements in automobile radiators, one object of the invention being the provision of a condenser or radiator having means to'receive vapors evolved from the main portion of the radiator to condense such vapors and to return the condensate to the main portion of the radiator, thus resulting in a great saving during the winter months when it is necessary to place anti-freezing liquids such as alcohol and the like, in the cooling system.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel form of radiator in which the condensin chamber is located above and in communlcation with the upper header of the radiator, so that the condensate collected therein will be directed back into the radiator, means also being provided for permittingthe escape of steam above a certain pressure and for also indicating the water level within the radiator.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view in rear elevation and partly in section of a complete radiator embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a section taken, on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the radiator comprises a lower header 5 to which is connected a water supply pipe 6, which as is usual, communicates with the pump and jacket in the water line of a water-cooled internal combustion engine (not shown). Extending upwardly from the header 5 and in communication therewith are a plurality of parallel vertical tubes 7 the upper ends of which are connected to and in communication with an upper header 8, the latter being provided with a supply pipe 9 which, as usual, is connected to the head of the water jacket of the engine (not shown).

A condenser header 10, preferably arcuate in longitudinal section, has its opposite ends curved and connected as at 11, with the upper parts of the end portions of the header 8, thus forming a semi-elliptical space 12 be tween the upper wall of the header 8 and lower wall of the condenser header 10, in

which space are disposed the vertical condenser tubes 13 connected at their upper ends to the lower portion of the condenser header 10- and at their upper ends to'the lower header 8. Said headers 8 and lO are preferably made integral. It will be noted that the header 8 is common to the-radiator proper and the condensing portion since it forms the upper header of the radiator and the lower or collecting header ofthe condenser.

Said condenser header 10 is provided with a filling nipple ld having a cap 15 to close the same, while bodily carried by this cap 15 is a casing 16 in which is provided a valve seat 17 controlled by the safety valve 18, a spring 19 being interposed between said valve and a screw threaded cap 20 mounted in an internally screw threaded opening in the upper end of said casing 16 so that by turning the cap in' opposite directions the tension of said spring may be adjusted to permit the escape, through the outlet 16, of steam or vapor pressure above a given point.

In order to ascertain the water level within the header 8 and the condenser header 10, hollow supports for upper and lower ends of a gauge glass 23 are mounted in openings 21 and 22, formed, respectively, in a side wall of the condenser header 10 and the cor-, responding wall of theheader 8,it being desirable to maintain the level indicated at 24 so that the water will properly circulate to and from the water jacket of the engine.

By this means the steam or vapor in the space above the water level 2 1 will rise into the header 10 through the tubes 13 and passageways 11 connecting the header 10 to the header 8, which tubes being exposed both to the air in front of the radiator and the draft of the fan behind the radiator, will cause the vapors to condense and fall by gravity back into the header 8. Inasmuch as the valve 18 normally closes the outlet 16 and the spring 19 is so tensioned as not to permit the valve 18 to open until a predetermined pressure, as, for instance, eight pounds, is reached, the water of condensation will be retained within the radiator so that any volatile liquid, such as alcohol or equivalent employed for non-freezing purposes, will be retained in the radiator and will not be given ofi into the atmosphere as is the case in radiators Where the overflow pipes serve as the safety Valves.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that with a radiator constructed according to and embodying the present invention, the water for the cooling system is properly cooled due to the open construction of the radiator While the vapor rising from the radiator is also properly cooled to con 1 dense the same and return it to the radiator proper.

I claim In a condensing radiator structure for internal combustion engines, a radiator having an upper header, a condenser header off- I set intermediate its ends from the first header and having its ends in substantially unobstructed communication with the ends of the upper header, and condenser tubes bridging the space between said upper header and my hand.

said condenser header and connecting said upper header to sald condenser header.

In testimony WhereoflI have hereunto set JACOB F. LEANHART; 

